Armed man robs recyclables after Newburgh party, police say

CITY OF NEWBURGH — A city man robbed two men of recyclables, and then led cops on a car chase, police said.

Jesus Bello Cruz, 34, of Renwick Street, faces charges of robbery and aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle. Police said Cruz attended a party and hung around early Sunday morning as two other partygoers loaded the leftover recyclables in their vehicles. They questioned Cruz when he started loading used bottles into his Chevy TrailBlazer, police said. Cruz then pulled a gun and ordered them to put everything in the TrailBlazer.

Officers responded shortly after and spotted a red TrailBlazer headed toward Federal Street. As they chased the SUV, Cruz launched a silver-colored handgun out of the window, police said. Cruz finally pulled over on Little Monument Street and was placed under arrest. Officers later recovered the discarded pistol and determined it was a BB gun, police said.